Treatment Resources for the Paraphilic and Hypersexual Disorders

This guide lists treatment resources in the United States that may be useful for both patients and clinicians. The first three listings describe resources that may be useful for individuals with paraphilias and the clinicians who work with them. The last section provides information on 12-step programs that may be helpful both for individuals with paraphilias and for those with hypersexual disorders. We have had extensive experience with the Safer Society Foundation, Inc. and with the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) and can recommend them highly as informational resources.With regard to 12-step programs, while some of our patients with paraphilic and/or hypersexual disorders have reported benefit from these, others have not, and we offer this information as including possible resources that patients may want to investigate further.

The Safer Society Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit agency dedicated to the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse. Founded by Quaker peace activist and prison reformer Fay Honey Knopp in 1974, the agency evolved into the Safer Society Program and Press in 1985 and became the Safer Society Foundation in 1995. The Safer Society Foundation provides research, publications, networking, and referrals for sexual abuser treatment nationwide. It maintains a computerized nationwide database of agencies, institutions, and private practitioners providing specialized assessment and treatment for juvenile and adult sexual abusers. Anyone—patient, lawyer, or therapist—can call the Safer Society Foundation Referral Line (802-247-5141) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM EST to request a referral for sexual abuser treatment at no charge.

In addition, The Safer Society Press publishes relevant research, studies, and professional handbooks for clinicians and researchers as well as workbooks and audio- and videotapes for client use and professional training.

STOP IT NOW!, a program to encourage adults to confront abusers constructively, is also run by the Safer Society Foundation. There is a toll-free helpline (1-888- 773-8368 or 1-888-PREVENT) for information on reporting requirements, legal issues, and referrals to therapists and attorneys. Abusers may also request to speak with recovering sexual offenders to support their decision to stop their harmful behaviors and obtain treatment for themselves and their victims.

The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) is a nonprofit interdisciplinary organization founded in 1984 for professionals in the field. ATSA has produced two documents that set forth its standards for treatment of sex offenders: Ethical Standards and Principles for the Management of Sexual Abusers1 and Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers Professional Code of Ethics.2 The ATSA website contains information on a number of position papers on various issues related to sexual offenders. ATSA organizes a yearly conference for professionals from all disciplines, including both the mental health and corrections communities; and it provides referrals to individuals with expertise in the treatment of sexual offenders.

Local Departments of Probation or Parole

Federal, state, county, and city departments of probation and parole often have contracts with or knowledge about local treatment programs for sexual offenders.

Self-Help Groups Based on 12-Step Programs for Individuals with Hypersexual Behaviors

1. Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Ethical standards and principles for the management of sexual abusers. Beaverton, OR: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers; 1997: 1–61.2. Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers. Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers Professional Code of Ethics. Beaverton, OR: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers; 2001: 1–34.